Hard Candy

Sugar Work By mbelgard Updated 31 Oct 2008 , 4:29am by cmp24

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mbelgard Posted 24 Sep 2008 , 2:49pm
post #1 of 21

I'm having a problem making my hard candy.

I found a recipe and I follow the directions but the amount of flavoring it calls for is way too little to really flavor it. I'm using candy flavoring so I know that isn't the problem. The candy sets hard so I'm doing that part right.

the recipe is:

1 3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup water
dash of salt
1/4-1/2 tsp flavoring


It says not to add the flavoring until it's done cooking so I'm doing that.

I tried the 1/2 tsp flavoring and it tastes right for the first lick or two and then it just tastes like corn syrup. I also used something to make it more sour, it was "tart and sour" liquid.

I really need ot get this figured out soon, I promised my husband moose suckers and my oldest son needs skulls for his Indiana Jones birthday party.

20 replies
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cakecookie6 Posted 25 Sep 2008 , 1:41pm
post #2 of 21

I have found that different flavors require more or less flavoring. Peppermint, for instance, does not take nearly the amount of flavoring as cherry. Aweet and sour is great to use with fruit flavors. The flavoring must be concentrated (oil of water based, but concentrated). then, when cooking is done, the flavor is added, but a lid must be placed on the pan to keep all the flavor inside and the lid should be left on for at least a minute.

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mbelgard Posted 25 Sep 2008 , 2:03pm
post #3 of 21

Thanks, the lid thing really might help. It was NOT part of the directions in my recipe.

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vrmcc1 Posted 30 Sep 2008 , 3:13am
post #4 of 21

I use lorann flavoring oils when I make hard candy. You can buy them at you local decorating store or sometimes your local drug store will carry some.

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mbelgard Posted 30 Sep 2008 , 3:23am
post #5 of 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by vrmcc1

I use lorann flavoring oils when I make hard candy. You can buy them at you local decorating store or sometimes your local drug store will carry some.




They are one of the flavor brands I have because they're so easy to find. Thank you though for your help.




I tried the lid thing and it worked great, my kids are begging to eat the suckers now instead of tossing them after two licks. icon_lol.gif So thank you cakecookie6 for the help.

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pbeckwith Posted 10 Oct 2008 , 11:43am
post #6 of 21

Wow, I didn't know about the lid thing either - it makes sense though. Have any of you gotten it clear to make the "diamond" jewels?

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cmp24 Posted 13 Oct 2008 , 2:44pm
post #7 of 21

I just started making candy yesterday. I use a completely different recipe, but the Lorann Butterscotch is great! I'll be adding hard candy to my Christmas care packages thats for sure. I never knew it was so easy to make or so easy to flavor.

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kbrown99 Posted 13 Oct 2008 , 2:59pm
post #8 of 21

Good ideas!

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auntginn Posted 15 Oct 2008 , 6:40am
post #9 of 21

If you want to make that diamond clear hard candy, try using the Microwave recipe from Lorann Oils. Works like a charm, I have to use it because I have an electric stove and no matter how hard I tried, I just kept burning the sugar.

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cmp24 Posted 15 Oct 2008 , 7:01am
post #10 of 21

I hate electric stoves for candy. It's hard even in a double broiler.

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auntginn Posted 15 Oct 2008 , 7:04am
post #11 of 21

I agree! By the way, I love your sig line.

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cmp24 Posted 20 Oct 2008 , 3:49am
post #12 of 21

Thanks. icon_biggrin.gif

I do have a question though. I can get my hands on flavored colored syrup. The kind that you get in your slushes at Sonic. Could I use a flavor from one of those in my candy?

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auntginn Posted 20 Oct 2008 , 5:31pm
post #13 of 21

Sure you can, but are they concentrated strength or not. You need to consider this, because if they are not you may or maynot achieve the taste you are looking for with the recommended usuage amount, which means you might be tempted to use more, which may throw off your recipe and ruin the sugar mixture.

Whew!! I hope that made sense.

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cmp24 Posted 22 Oct 2008 , 2:28am
post #14 of 21

They are concentrated i believe will have to look though, and make sure. It was just something one of the other mgrs came up with the other day. She wants jolly rancher flavored batches

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cmp24 Posted 30 Oct 2008 , 2:13am
post #15 of 21

How do i flavor hard candy with alcohol? or can i flavor it with alcohol?

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mbelgard Posted 30 Oct 2008 , 2:42am
post #16 of 21

I don't know if you can flavor it with alcohol but you can get concentrated alcohol flavors.

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auntginn Posted 30 Oct 2008 , 3:51am
post #17 of 21

I've never tried with the alcohol either. But if you do let us know how it turns out please.

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cmp24 Posted 30 Oct 2008 , 1:01pm
post #18 of 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbelgard

I don't know if you can flavor it with alcohol but you can get concentrated alcohol flavors.





I've looked at my local Hobby Lobby store, and they didn't have the alachol flavors. Where else could i pick these up at?




And auntginn........... if i do try it i'll diffently let ya'll know how it turns out.

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mbelgard Posted 30 Oct 2008 , 2:31pm
post #19 of 21

They some here, I don't know if they have the flavor you want but they do have some:


http://www.countrykitchensa.com/catalog/mini.aspx?T=2&ShopId=39&CatId=589&SubCatId=1055

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auntginn Posted 30 Oct 2008 , 4:52pm
post #20 of 21

Lorann Oils also carries a few ahcoholic flavors and they are concentrated as well. I use the Kahlua all the time.

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cmp24 Posted 31 Oct 2008 , 4:29am
post #21 of 21

Thanks. I did not find a harder liquor flavor. I guess I'll have to play with a batch of candy to try it lol.

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